Ferrari have “open” plan with newest driver
Ferrari has an “open” plan with 2016 GP2 runner-up Antonio Giovinazzi (left in photo) after signing the Italian as third driver for next year.
The 23-year-old earned the position after impressing the Maranello hierarchy in a simulator test following the Italian Grand Prix in September, jumping ahead of those currently in Ferrari’s young driver academy.
Twitter: RT @Autodromo_Monza: Dal podio di Monza alla #F1. Antonio Giovinazzi sarà terzo pilota Ferrari nel 2017 https://t.co/ZfoWhBlCar (@anto_giovinazzi)
Giovinazzi also caught the attention of the Scuderia as he just missed out on the GP2 crown to Prema Racing teammate and Red Bull youngster Pierre Gasly at the final race weekend in Abu Dhabi last month in what was his first year in the series.
The Italian had also finished runner-up in the European Formula 3 championship the year before.
As the third driver, Giovinazzi will head simulator duties at Maranello, in what is expected to be a frantic year for development in 2017, as well as driving in the young driver test next year.
Other options are on the table, however, with a spokesman telling Autosport: “Nothing is planned, everything is open.”
Those options could include Friday practice outings with customer Ferrari teams, Haas notably allowed academy member Charles Leclerc several opportunities in their car this year, or maybe even the second race seat at Sauber with Felipe Nasr’s future unknown at this point.
The appointment of Giovinazzi also signals Ferrari are looking long term for driver options. Both Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel are out of contract at the end of next season with the Finn the most likely to call a day on his F1 career.
Vettel’s future is also less than guaranteed after a difficult year in 2016, there is also some signs of discontent with team boss Maurizio Arrivabene. Speculation is already swirling that Mercedes may be following the German’s situation with an eye on tempting him to the team in 2018 if his frustration continues.
While names like Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz have been linked to a future seat, if Ferrari is in the situation of needing two new drivers for 2018, Giovinazzi could be in position to become the first Italian to drive in F1 since 2011 and the first Italian to drive for Ferrari since Giancarlo Fisichella and Luca Badoer in 2009.